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Afton GH Pre approved firearms import service
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Has anyone used the Afton preapproved firearms import service? Is it worthwhile to use?
Thanks for the replies in advance.

Rob.


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Posts: 120 | Location: Northern Ohio | Registered: 21 February 2008Reply With Quote
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It's really not that hard to DIY, if you are capable of following a few pretty basic instructions to the letter.

Opinions to the contrary will follow.

The best step-by-step guide I've found is on Riflepermits.com


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Posts: 1582 | Location: Arizona and Nevada since 1979. | Registered: 19 December 2005Reply With Quote
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I've used both Afton and Riflepermits.com and they did what I paid them to do - get my firearms through without delay or hasssle. I think it's worth the $100 or so dollars to have them do it. I can't remember how it was done and that's what I like about it. Let them worry about it for you.

Namibiahunter



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Posts: 665 | Location: Oregon or Namibia | Registered: 13 June 2007Reply With Quote
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Thanks for the info. Do you know how late the saps office is open. All I am finding for flights is about a 7pm joburg time arrival?


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Posts: 120 | Location: Northern Ohio | Registered: 21 February 2008Reply With Quote
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Rob,

This maybe the best advise you'll ever receive for free concerning your safari. Use a good booking agent with lots of African experience, use a travel agent that specializes in Africa and travel with guns, if you have to go through the gun permit process in RSA use a service. All of this will cost you a few dollars more but can and will save you a lot of hassle. Being a DIY guy is all well and good but it is false economy on your first safari.

Mark


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Posts: 13118 | Location: LAS VEGAS, NV USA | Registered: 04 August 2002Reply With Quote
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Like was said above it's probably not that hard to do yourself. But for $100 bucks I got through the process in < 15 minutes while watching the dudes not using the service get lined up and lectured to about what to do next. Maybe they got through in < 30 mintues and it was no big deal....but it sure didn't look like it was gonna be a quick process!!
 
Posts: 317 | Location: Alabama | Registered: 06 March 2004Reply With Quote
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quote:
This maybe the best advise you'll ever receive for free concerning your safari. Use a good booking agent with lots of African experience, use a travel agent that specializes in Africa and travel with guns, if you have to go through the gun permit process in RSA use a service. All of this will cost you a few dollars more but can and will save you a lot of hassle. Being a DIY guy is all well and good but it is false economy on your first safari.

Mark



agreed 100% with mark ....


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Posts: 1201 | Location: South Africa  | Registered: 04 March 2005Reply With Quote
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I used them this year on the way to Namibia with my family. I think it took 5 mins and we where out of the airport on the way to AH.
 
Posts: 1093 | Location: Florida | Registered: 14 August 2002Reply With Quote
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I've booked clients using the Afton Guesthouse and gun clearance services - they went to the front of the line for processing. This may not be a big deal if there are only 5 hunters (a rarity) on your 747, but if planes are delayed and 2 or 3 jumbo jets land in close proximity, there could be 30-50 hunters trying to clear their firearms at one time. In that case your clearance service fees will seem a blessing.

I always did it myself if I wasn't with clients, until all the new RSA laws went into effect a few years ago. Last time I did it myself I was #3 (I knew where everything was located) in line and they looked at the headstamp on every round of my ammo. That's when I started using a service.

Hope this helps.


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Posts: 3577 | Location: Silicon Valley | Registered: 19 November 2008Reply With Quote
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I went in June, first time. I cleared the guns myself in Joburg and it took all of 15 minutes and I was on my way. It is a very easy process, just download the forms and fill them out before you get to SA. You can spend the $100 if you want and I am not suggesting you don't, I just did not think clearing the rifles was a big deal at all.
 
Posts: 279 | Location: Cypress, TX | Registered: 20 February 2007Reply With Quote
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Ditto that Dawg. If you can read the rules, follow them, and fill out paperwork, you too can get through customs. I've done it in South Africa and Namibia. If you're uneasy though, definitely go for the service. In the big scheme of things, it's not that much compared to the cost of your hunt.


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Posts: 3308 | Location: Southern NM USA | Registered: 01 October 2002Reply With Quote
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Next time I go I will use a service to clear my rifles. There were only 4 or 5 people going through when I was there, but what's another $100 tacked onto a safari's price tag?


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Posts: 297 | Location: New Scotland, Canada | Registered: 01 August 2007Reply With Quote
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In think Afton does a good job, and they are cheaper than some others. As several other people have said, I also prefer to walk my own rifle through the paperwork process myself if the hunter volume is low, but at high season the line can be several hours long. That is when Afton's assistance is much appreciated.


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Posts: 161 | Location: Arkansas | Registered: 16 May 2006Reply With Quote
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Afton House service gets a 5 star rating from me. They know the ins and outs and from what I have heard have been known to work miracles.
Either way their hospitality is second to none and their customer service of the best.
 
Posts: 423 | Location: Natal - South Africa | Registered: 23 September 2006Reply With Quote
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The Afton GH did a great job for us summer of 2007.

We also overnighted with them coming and going, that worked out great.

H Kittle
 
Posts: 555 | Location: the Mississippi Delta | Registered: 05 October 2003Reply With Quote
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Is Louis still " the man " at the Afton House. I heard previously that he was quite ill but have heard no word lately.


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Posts: 1370 | Location: Shreveport,La.USA | Registered: 08 November 2001Reply With Quote
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If you stay with Afton's, make sure you have the steak "brai." Delicious , only $20.00 US, and it's great just talking with the other hunters there.

Incidentally, Afton's is inside a large gated community with barbed wire and armed guards. Afton's iteslf has barbed wire and electrified wire. My room had three doors, each with its own key, and one of the doors was an iron gate.

Says something about the crime rate in Johannesburg.


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Posts: 1186 | Registered: 06 January 2002Reply With Quote
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Bill74 and I just came through Joburg the 18th with 3 rifles. We were the only hunters there and took about 20-30 min with the paperwork and no problems. The PH said during the hunting season the lines can be long and the wait can be hours! So, if its the off season you will prob do fine on your own with advice from your outfitter, however during the hunting season I would definately consider using the import service.

I have been wide awake since 2am! still havent adjusted!


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Posts: 1095 | Location: Yazoo City, Mississippi | Registered: 25 January 2004Reply With Quote
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It will depend upon the current crew "working" the airport detail. I've watched many guys be trapped into paying $200-$500 each to get processed for minor, and I mean MINOR infractions or down right not knowing what to do. Sometimes you can slide through if their superiors have been on their ass about bribing unsuspecting hunters. But most of the time you'll get snagged one way or the other. Bruce works via Gracy Travel/Afton GH. He is 100% on top of things; knows the ropes in all facets and will have change when the American Express booth tells you "No US for exchange". In other words, they won't bust a $100, $50 or $20 for you into smaller US funds, so bring small bills. I've been through Jo'burg many times: with and without a permit service. Never a problem when using a service even when there were problems. I highly recommend Afton and their permit service (ask for Bruce). Your spending a good amount of money to go over there, I wouldn't screw myself over $100. If the Spider Kops catch you in there trap you'll pay twice that. Have a great hunt!
David


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Posts: 6825 | Location: Tennessee | Registered: 18 December 2006Reply With Quote
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If you are staying at the Afton GH, ask them to take you over to the seafood restuarant it is very good, as is the Italian spot next door.

The belly dancer at the seafood spot was not bad either.

H. Kittle
 
Posts: 555 | Location: the Mississippi Delta | Registered: 05 October 2003Reply With Quote
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Have done both. Prefer to DIY, but then I've lived in the RSA, and go every year and $100 is $100.

That said. Was there last year and last in line as my suitcase did a brief disappearing act and needed time to track down. The staff was wanting to close. I had all the documents in order, but some newbies did not. Then the young woman police officer noted that if you had a previous permit she could save time by calling it up using your passport number.

Had a new passport, but luckily recalled the number of the old one. She transferred the data, added the new rifle/ammo details and printed the form, making a pen-and-ink change on the passport number that she stamped and sealed.

Bottom line:
Use a service if you are there in high season or a first timer through the SAPS process.

Regards
 
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